The second largest city in Canada, Montreal is an exciting new city scene with a lot to offer curious travelers. It is named after Mount Royal, a part of the landscape that is unique to this beautiful area. There is too much to see in Montreal for a simple day trip, or even if you spent a week there! But you can always keep coming back for more great adventures.

Here are our top 9 favorite places to go in Montreal, so you can get your adventure started.

Old Montreal

Start your tour of this amazing and beautiful city where it all began, with a romantic walk along cobblestone streets and perhaps even catch a ride on a carriage to make this timeless adventure complete. This part of the city is stroller friendly, so you can bring the whole family as you shop tiny boutiques and experience new foods in fantastic restaurants. You’ll feel like you’ve had a trip back in time, and if you come back at night you can experience the whole thing a second time with all of Old Montreal tastefully illuminated.

Notre Dame Basilica

This famous landmark is one you’ve probably heard of, even if you maybe didn’t know it was in Montreal. This jaw dropping church features architecture that will leave you breathless. Built in 1656, you may find the dazzling mixture of sculptures, stained glass windows, and vaulted ceilings a little much compared to today’s architecture, but it is still no less impressive.

The Notre Dame Basillica regularly puts on extravagant organ recitals and choral performances, so you may want to arrange your visit around their schedule for a chance to immerse yourself even more in this amazing and beautiful place.

Old Port of Montreal

Take a walk with dazzling views of Old Montreal as well as exciting new features when you visit the Old Port of Montreal. A frequent location for special events. Catch a show at the Imax theatre while enjoying the taste and aroma coming from the theatre style popcorn machines, or go for a ride in a rented paddleboat. There is always something to see or do here, or if you just need a break with some delicious snacks, this is the place to go.

Pointe-a-Callier Museum

Once you are done touring the historical areas of the city itself, why not make the tour complete with a visit to a museum that focuses on the history of the city? This museum is built on top of the old custom house. You can view the old foundations through glass flooring, walk through the old sewer lines (all cleaned up, don’t worry!) and view Montreal from the top of its tower.

The tour guides are informative and passionate about the work, helping bring you new insights into this captivating museum. You’ll come away with a deeper understanding of Montreal, and an appreciation for this grand old city.

Mount Royal Park

Designed by the same person behind New York’s famous Central Park, this sweeping park has a lot to offer. You can see all of Montreal from the top of the park, or simply take a walk through and enjoy the park’s diverse range of flora and fauna. Scooters and Bikes make the trip easier.

Visit during different seasons to enjoy the changing of the colors and get a fresh new look on this beautiful park. As you can imagine, it is most beautiful in the fall when it is a full riot of color, but come back during summer for spring flowers and other beautiful scenery for you to admire.

Chateau Dufresne

Take a trip back in time with a visit to a detailed and beautiful victorian house. Filled with artificats and information from the period. You’ll enjoy an interesting history of the two brothers who lived there, and as an added bonus, the botanical gardens are just across the street.

If you enjoy historical museums, this is a must see stop on your adventures in Montreal.

Lachine Fur Trade Museum

Fur trade was a huge part of the history of Montreal, and this tiny museum is still worth a quick trip as you zoom about the city. Learn about fur trade and what its impact was on this city. This museum captures the story very well about how the beavers found in lakes and streams all over Canada almost went extinct. It is free to visit, and suitable for children.

Montreal’s Underground

The sparkling beauty that is the topside of Montreal is just a small section of what this beautiful city has to offer. There is also a huge and dazzling underground city complete with train stations, restaurants and shopping. This huge mall was created as a comfortable way to address Montreal’s often difficult winters, and is an interesting and unique location to include in your experience.

Grévin Wax Museum

View amazingly accurate recreations of famous people from times past. Wax sculptures include famous actors and actresses, world leaders, and other important figures. There are a large selection of wax scupltures to see, and the sculptures are family friendly and wheel chair accessible. Friendly staff are happy to help you answer your questions.

Montreal Tower Observatory

After a long day visiting historial sites, why not add a little excitement with something more modern? Visit the world’s largest inclined tower with breath taking view of the mountains, the city, and so much more.

Montreal has a lot to offer you. You’ll never have to go far to find wonderful food, amazing drinks, or cozy hotel rooms, plus the number of exciting places to visit are virtually endless. No matter what your favorite style of tourism is, be it a thrilling night life or a family friendly outing, you can get it here in Montreal.

This city has an amazing and unique culture of its very own, and you’ll come away feeling enriched for it. Learn a few words of french to help yourself along and please the locals, and you are sure to have a wonderful stay here in this friendly and engaging city.

If you are making a move, why not pick a wonderful city like Montreal?

Sometimes in life, you feel the call to move to a new location and explore new facets of the world. When you do feel that call, it is important to consider all the details of that move as well as the final landing place when you make the choice to relocate. If you are feeling that call right now, why not consider Montreal as an option for your new home? Montreal has much to offer new residents as well as visitors, and could be a wonderful location for your new long term home.

What are some of the great features of Montreal?

Montreal is a modern city with a full selection of features and attractions that can keep a new resident informed and entertained, but it is also very close to the wide, open spaces of Canada so that you can easily make a day trip to explore the natural world around you and then head back to the city to enjoy your city life. You can explore modern and historical art at one of the many art museums in the city such as the Notre Dame Basilica of Montreal (Basilique Notre Dame de Montreal) as well as visiting one of the parks filled with nature as well as artistic sculptures such as the Montreal Biodome (Biodome de Montreal.) You can also experience La Ronde, an amusement park that was originally constructed in 1967 for some thrills and excitement. Those are just a few of the many great attractions of the city of Montreal.

The snow and cold of winter don’t shut this city down

You may have been in other cities where there are large amounts of show and cold weather in the winter, but unlike those places, Montreal doesn’t let some wind and flakes of snow slow them down. There may be a bit of a lag in the transportation system, but it won’t be long before the systems are back on track and running smoothly. Even better though, it’s almost as if the night life picks up when the cold winds blow and the snow starts to fall.

Ecologically friendly public transportation

Montreal is a great city for bikers and provides opportunities to explore the city on your bicycle. There is also a steady and reliable public transportation system that can help you explore your new home and help out the planet just a little too. However, there is also the most eco friendly option of walking as well since the city is well aware of the needs of the walking population in the city and keeps things clear and easy for everyone.

Learn another language

As a part of Canada, Montreal will have everything posted in English as well as French because of the desire to meet the needs of all of the citizens of the country. As a result, you can start your education in the French language. You may need some help at first, but with more and more exposure, you will find the language becoming a part of you. Learning a new language is a great way to expand your mind and understanding of the world.

Live on an island without moving to Hawaii

Did you know that Montreal is actually an island? Imagine knowing that you are secluded from the world without being completely separated from it. You can still get to the main body of Canada, but you can envision yourself as a step away from the rest of the world, safe in a little bubble of reality. Sometimes you can even imagine yourself as Robinson Crusoe alone on your island paradise, but with the easy escape whenever you want it.

Want to add some festivals to your life?

Montreal has lots of great festivals scattered throughout the year so you don’t have to worry about finding something fun to do during the year. Do you love some great jazz music? Check out the Jazz Festival in the summer and dance to all the amazing artists as they play through the night. Want a fun alternative during the winter? Check out Igloofest and explore what life might be like if you live in a house made out of ice. Don’t worry, it’s not as chilly as you might expect it to be.

Let’s get moving, the time is right

Maybe you aren’t quite ready to make your move, but when you are, Montreal will be waiting for you. It is a beautiful city with so many amazing features and attractions that once you are there, you may wonder why you waited so long to make the move. You will love all the attractions and features the city has to offer. Start making your plans to move right away.